CA3121993A1 - Method and system for delivery management, cross marketing and sales - Google Patents

Abstract

An exemplary computer-implemented system and method for cross marketing, sales and delivery management allows consumers to remotely order in a single transaction a variety of different types of goods from a range of local individual merchants, and to have all the goods combined and delivered on-demand in a single batch to a desired delivery location. The system is coordinated by a service provider computing device, which is connected via a network to buyers, merchants and courier drivers. An app on a buyer computing device such as a smart phone or tablet provides the buyer with convenient selection of merchants. Prompts and functions on a general user interface generated by the app guide the buyer from a merchant selling a first kind of goods to another merchant selling a second kind of goods commonly associated with the first kind. The range of local merchants is predetermined by a cross marketing arrangement.

Description

Specification Title Method and System for Delivery Management, Cross Marketing and Sales Background = People have always enjoyed drinking alcohol and eating food together. It is a common practice for people to eat in restaurants, and it is becoming increasingly popular for people to order food for delivery from restaurants to their homes. When it comes to alcohol, people tend to drink in a pub or a restaurant, or simply buy their drinks from a liquor store for consumption at home.
= Nevertheless, sometimes people may not want to go to a restaurant to eat, and they may not want to go to an alcohol retailer to buy their alcohol. Instead, they may prefer the convenience of having both food and alcohol delivered to them at home by an on-demand delivery service. Alternatively, sometimes people may prefer the convenience of picking up both food and alcohol themselves from one pickup location.
= Currently, there are on-demand delivery services that allow people to order food from a restaurant and alcohol from an alcohol retailer separately in individual orders. The food and alcohol are delivered in separate deliveries, or can be picked up at separate pickup locations.
= Typically, there may be additional time and additional expenses associated with having the food and alcohol items delivered to the customer in separate orders and deliveries. For example, additional expenses for compensating the drivers for delivery of the food and alcohol items in separate orders.
= Another complication is the fact that timing of the individual deliveries may not match. For example, whereas pizza can be ordered and delivered within, say, 45 minutes, the beer ordered from a liquor store may take more than 2 hours to be delivered. A further Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 complication is the fact that some restaurants may not have a license to sell alcohol, and some alcohol merchants may not have the facilities to cook and sell food.
= Furthermore, there may be additional time and additional expenses associated with picking up food and alcohol items from separate pickup locations.
= Sometimes people may want to go to a restaurant to eat food and drink alcohol, but the restaurant may not serve alcohol or may not serve a variety of alcohol items that the people prefer. Also, people may want to go to a pub to drink alcohol and eat food, but the pub may not serve food or may not serve a variety of food items they prefer.
= To solve the above problems (and similar problems), what is needed is an online on-demand delivery service that: (i) enables customers to order food items from any of a variety of restaurants and combine their food items with an alcohol order from any of a variety of alcohol merchants; and (ii) arranges for delivery drivers to deliver the food and alcohol items in one combined delivery to a location specified by the customer.
Brief Summary = An exemplary computer-implemented method and system for delivery management, cross marketing and sales allows consumers to remotely order in a single transaction a variety of different types of goods from a range of local individual merchants, and to have all the goods combined and delivered on-demand in a single batch to a desired delivery location. The system is coordinated by a service provider computing device, which is connected via a network to buyers, merchants and courier drivers. An app on a buyer computing device such as a smart phone or tablet provides the buyer with convenient selection of merchants providing different kinds of goods. Prompts and functions on a general user interface generated by the app guide the buyer from a merchant selling a first kind of goods to another merchant selling a second kind of goods commonly associated with the first kind. In an exemplary embodiment, the two kinds of goods are pizza and alcoholic drinks. The service provider computing device carries out the combined order by communicating with the selected merchants, and with drivers who are associated with the

2 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 merchants or who are independent. The range of local individual merchants can be predetermined by using the system, which in a typical application enables restaurants, alcohol merchants and service providers to form arrangements to cross market and sell food and alcohol products for delivery in one combined order.
= The exemplary online on-demand delivery service enables customers to avoid or mitigate the additional time and expense associated with having food and alcohol items delivered to them in separate orders from separate merchants. In addition, the service provides variety of purchases and convenience to the customer. Furthermore, the method and system enable restaurants to service customers who also want to buy alcohol, and enable alcohol merchants to service customers who also want to buy food.
Brief Description of the Drawings = The detailed description set forth below will give a full understanding of the invention including its objectives and benefits. The detailed description makes reference to the following figures.
= FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment for the management of cross marketing, sales, ordering and delivery of combined orders according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for combining orders and for delivery, according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating aspects of a system and processes for cross marketing and sales involving combined orders according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 4 is a diagram showing aspects of a combined order delivery system according to some implementations of the present invention.

3 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = FIG. 5 illustrates a first example user interface of a buyer device for combining orders for delivery according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 6 illustrates a second example user interface of a buyer device for combining orders for delivery according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 7 illustrates a third example user interface of a buyer device for combining orders for delivery according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth example user interface of a buyer device for combining orders for delivery according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth example user interface of a buyer device for combining orders for delivery according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 10 schematically illustrates certain components of an example service provider computing device according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 11 schematically illustrates certain components of an example buyer device according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 12 schematically illustrates certain components of an example driver device according to some implementations of the present invention.
= FIG. 13 schematically illustrates certain components of an example merchant device according to some implementations of the present invention.
= In the drawings, example embodiments of the invention are illustrated. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention described herein.

4 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 Detailed Description = A novel system detailed herein can, among other things, allow a customer to easily browse through product offerings from individual merchants and create a combined order, pay for the order, and have the ordered items delivered on-demand immediately or by scheduled delivery.
= The technological innovations detailed herein include a novel system for buyers to place orders for delivery of items such as food and alcohol from separate merchants, and have the orders combined into one consolidated order for on-demand immediately or scheduled delivery. Buyers are provided with a unique online environment that allows them to do this.
= Furthermore, detailed herein are technological innovations for a novel system for merchants and or a service provider(s) to cross market items from separate merchants and have them combined into one consolidated order to be sold and delivered by on-demand delivery to their customers. Merchants and a service provider(s) are furnished with an online environment that would enable them to do this.
= The systems described herein enable a merchant such as a restaurant, pub, brewery, grocery, liquor store, etc. to increase sales, expand its customer base, and manage delivery drivers, in addition to other things.
= Moreover, the systems herein can benefit merchants, by facilitating indirect advertising and marketing to customers in targeted ways, without requiring them to conduct the advertising or marketing communications directly through their own systems.
= In some situations, merchants in particular industries may primarily draw their customers from a particular target market; such as a pizza restaurant drawing customers that want to eat pizza. Using some examples of the present systems, the pizza restaurant can reach additional customers and a broader target market area by cross marketing products from another merchant. For example, the pizza restaurant can draw customers Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 who want to drink alcohol by cross marketing and delivering alcohol products from a nearby liquor store.
= Furthermore, in numerous examples of the present system, merchants can offer on-demand instant or scheduled delivery of products in an efficient, economical, lawful, and simplified manner.
= The present system also enables merchants to gain access to new markets and expand existing markets through the use of computers, mobile devices (such as smart phones and tablets), and other devices able to connect to the Internet or other networks.
= For instance, the system can create cross marketing and delivery arrangements between different merchants and service providers or a combination of both located within specific zones, or according to various criteria and thresholds. Such criteria and thresholds can for example include distances between the merchants' premises, operating hours of the merchants, etc.
= The system can be attractive to various entities because it can provide direct access to cross marketing and advertising to individual customers as part of a sales, ordering and delivery process.
= One example is a merchant such as a liquor store offering to pay a customer's delivery fee imposed by a pizza restaurant, or carry out the delivery using its own drivers, in exchange for the customer being able to choose to create a combined order.
That is, the liquor store's products as advertised are added within the pizza restaurant's menu, for the customer to select from as desired. Another example is a pizza restaurant paying a sales commission to a liquor store in exchange for the customer being able to choose to create a combined order. That is, the pizza restaurant's products as advertised are added within the liquor store's product menu, for the customer to select from as desired. A
further example is a brewery paying a sales commission to a service provider in exchange for the customer being able to choose to create a combined order. That is, the brewery's products as promoted and advertised are added onto a service provider's website.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The technology described herein employs one or more computing devices, mobile devices, and location sensors to provide a novel technological arrangement that not only enables merchants to cross market and sell products to buyers, but also enables buyers to combine orders for items from more than one merchant into a single on-demand delivery.
= The implementations described herein include techniques, systems and arrangements for combining orders for items that are to be picked up from multiple merchants located within a proximity threshold to each other, and then delivered to a single buyer. As one example, a buyer can use application software (an app) on a buyer device to create an order by selecting one or more items, such as food items, offered by a food merchant such as a restaurant. The buyer can then use the same app on the buyer device to create a combined order by selecting one or more items, such as alcohol items, offered by an alcohol merchant such as a liquor store.
= The buyer can send the combined order to a computing device of a service provider.
Accordingly, because the buyer can combine a food order from a restaurant with an alcohol order from a liquor store, the buyer can buy alcohol with their food order at a reduced cost, with more variety of choosable items and more convenience.
= The service provider can send the individual orders contained within the combined order to merchant devices separately. Thereafter, the details of the combined order are forwarded to a driver's device for the individual orders to be picked up and delivered in one delivery to the buyer.
= As one example, a restaurant which has received an order on its merchant device can cook the food items whilst the driver who has received the combined order on the driver device can pick up the alcohol items from a liquor store before proceeding to pick up the food items from the restaurant. The driver then delivers the combined order to the buyer. Accordingly, because the driver picks up the alcohol items from the liquor store during the time that the restaurant is cooking the food items, the combined order can be delivered to the buyer without any adverse impact to the quality of the food items Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 contained within the combined order. In another example, the driver who has received the combined order on his driver device can pick up the food items from the restaurant first and then pick up the alcohol items from the liquor store situated on route to the delivery location. The driver then delivers the combined order to the buyer.
Accordingly, because the driver saves time by picking up the alcohol items on route to the delivery location, the combined order can be delivered to the buyer without any substantial delay.
= As used herein, an order or combined order can include a request submitted by a buyer (e.g., a client, a customer, a business, a venue, etc) for the acquisition of food items from a food merchant and or alcohol items from an alcohol merchant (referred to herein as "items"). The order information can be received by the service provider computing device and sent to the merchant(s). For example, a food merchant can include a restaurant, food truck, food court, ghost kitchen or any other business or entity engaged in the offering of food items for delivery to buyers. An alcohol merchant can include a liquor store, brewery, pub, beer store, gas station, grocery store or any other business or other entity engaged in the offering of alcohol items for delivery to buyers.
= Actions assigned to a merchant herein can include actions performed by employees, contractors or other personnel representing and or working on behalf of the merchant.
Therefore, no distinction is made herein between merchants and their representatives unless specifically mentioned. In addition to this, a buyer can include any person or entity that purchases items from a merchant. Buyers can be customers or potential customers of a particular merchant. The service provider can receive payment from a buyer for an order associated with an individual or combined order, and the service provider can provide payment to the merchant(s) for the order. Furthermore, the service provider can provide payment to the driver(s) for delivering the order. Alternatively, the merchant(s) can receive payment from a buyer for an order and the merchant(s) can provide payment to the service provider for use of the service provider's system associated with the order.
Further, the merchant(s) can provide payment to the driver(s) for delivering the order.
= The present invention can involve the Internet, an intranet, or another networked environment. Therefore, any reference to any of the Internet, an intranet or another Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 networked environment should be understood broadly to encompass not only the referenced term, but all of the Internet, one or more intranets, or other networked environments. In the same manner, terms indicating aspects of either the Internet, an intra net or another networked environment, such as a webpage in the Internet environment, should be understood broadly to include the equivalent(s) available in any of the Internet, intra nets or other networked environments.
= For illustrative purposes, some example implementations are described in the environment of cross marketing products such as food and alcohol from different merchants and combining the products into a combined order for delivery, so as to provide a reduction in time and expenses to buyers and an increase in sales for merchants.
Numerous other implementations can similarly be achieved by applying the systems, methods and principles described herein.
= The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed embodiments, and is provided in the context of particular exemplary applications of the embodiments and their requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments. Thus, the systems and methods herein are not limited to the embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
= References to things or items in the singular form should be construed to include plural such things or items as may be applicable. References to things or items in the plural form should be construed to include such things or items as a single thing or a single item as may be applicable.
= FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 for cross marketing and combining sales, orders and delivery according to some implementations of the present invention. For instance, the environment 100 can enable one or more service provider computing devices 104 of a service provider 102 to receive, over one or more networks 106, buyer Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 combined order information 108 from a buyer 110. Based on the buyer combined order information 108 received from the buyer 110, the service provider computing device 104 can send individual order information 112 derived from the buyer combined order information 108 to a particular merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114. The particular merchant 114 can receive the individual order information 112, and can respond with an individual order confirmation 116 to confirm that the individual order information 112 has been received and can be prepared by the particular merchant 114. Depending on the buyer combined order information 108, respective individual order information 112 may be sent to each of plural merchants 114.
= In the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed for convenience that for a given buyer 110, the buyer combined order information 108 specifies two or more individual orders, and that the individual orders require that respective individual order information 112 be sent to each of plural merchants 114. However, it is to be understood that in certain cases, the buyer combined order information 108 may simply specify one individual order. it is to be further understood that in certain other cases, when the buyer combined order information 108 specifies two or more individual orders, only one individual order information 112 need be sent to a single merchant 114.
= In some examples, the individual order information 112 sent to a particular merchant 114 can identify items 138 ordered by the buyer 110 from the merchant 114. For instance, each merchant 114 can offer one or more items 138, respectively, which can be ordered by buyers 110 for delivery. In some instances, each merchant 114 can promote, advertise and sell as part of a cross marketing arrangement 140 one or more items 138 from the one or more merchants 114, respectively, which can be ordered by buyers 110 for delivery.
= In some further examples, the individual order information 112 can also designate a time at which the individual order is to be picked up by a driver (or courier) 122 of one or more drivers 122. For example, the individual order confirmation 116 sent by a particular merchant 114 to the service provider computing device 104 can confirm the pickup time Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 designated by the service provider computing device 104. In other cases, the individual order information 112 sent to a particular merchant 114 can include a request for the merchant 114 to specify when the individual order will be ready for pickup, and the merchant 114 can include with the individual order confirmation 116 a specified time at which the individual order will be ready for pickup.
= In either event, in response to receiving the individual order confirmation 116 from a particular merchant 114, the service provider computing device 104 can assign delivery of the individual order to a driver 122. Typically, the service provider computing device 104 receives respective individual order confirmations 116 from plural merchants 114. In such case, when the service provider computing device 104 assigns delivery of the individual orders, the assignment is made according to various criteria and thresholds of a service provider delivery system 152 of the service provider computing device 104. The service provider computing device 104 then sends dispatch combined order information 120 to one or more drivers 122 to whom the delivery has been assigned. The one or more drivers 122 pick up the individual orders from the merchants 114, and deliver the combined order to the buyer 110.1n the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed for convenience that for a given buyer 110, all the individual orders are picked up by a single driver 122, and the combined order is delivered by that same one driver 122.
= For instance, each merchant 114(1)-114(2) can be associated with a respective pickup location 128(1)-128(2) and or a respective delivery location 134(2)-134(3), either of which can typically be the merchant's place of business. Furthermore, a buyer 110 can be associated with a respective delivery location 134(1), which can typically be the buyer's place of residence or a merchant's place of business.
= In some examples, to enable participation in a combined order, two or more merchants 114 can be associated with the same pickup location 128.
Alternatively, the pickup locations 128 of the merchants 114 may not be the same, but can still be within a threshold distance of each other and within a threshold distance of the delivery location 134.
ii Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The dispatch combined order information 120 sent to the driver(s) 122 can include the pickup locations 128 for the individual orders (derived from the buyer combined order information 108), the pickup times, and the delivery location 134 for the combined order. In some examples, the dispatch combined order information 120 can include a scheduled time for delivery such as a time by which the service provider 102 has agreed to have the ordered items 138 delivered to the buyer 110 at the delivery location 134. Further, in some cases, the dispatch combined order information 120 can include an amount that the driver 122 can be paid if the driver 122 accepts the delivery job, and or other information related to the combined order.
= In the illustrated example, the service provider computing device 104 of the service provider 102 is able to communicate with merchant devices 118(1)-118(2) over the one or more networks 106. Each merchant device 118(1)-118(2) can be associated with a respective merchant 114(1)-114(2). Each merchant device 118(1)-118(2) can be a computing device, such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone, or the like, and can include a respective instance of a merchant application 142 that executes on the respective merchant device 118(1)-118(2).
= In some examples, the merchant application 142 can provide point-of-sale (POS) functionality to the merchant device 118 through a third party payment processor 154 of the service provider computing device 104, to enable the merchant 114 to accept payments using the merchant device 118.
= In addition, the buyers 110 can be associated with respective buyer devices 130 that can execute respective instances of buyer applications 132. For example, buyers 110 can use buyer devices 130, such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptops, desktops, or other such similar device; and these buyer devices 130 can have the buyer application 132 installed thereon.
= The buyer application 132 can enable the buyer 110 to select one or more items 138 to purchase from one or more of the merchants 114 in a combined order to be Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 delivered to the buyer 110 by the driver 122. Furthermore, the buyer application 132 can enable the buyer 110 to place a combined order from merchants 114 as a scheduled order, such as for example scheduling an order for delivery at a specified time on a specified day and at a specified location.
= In one example, the buyer 110 makes a payment for an order using the buyer application 132. For instance, the service provider 102 can charge a buyer account associated with the buyer 110 for an amount associated with a combined order.
In some examples, the buyer application 132 and the service provider computing device 104 can communicate with each other via one or more APIs.
= Additionally, or alternatively, the buyer application 132 can be a web browser or the like. The buyer 110 can navigate to a website associated with the service provider 102, and can use that website to place an order. Thus, in this case, the website can provide at least some of the functionality attributed to the buyer application 132 herein.
= Additionally, or alternatively, when the buyer application 132 is a web browser or the like, the buyer 110 can navigate to a website associated with a merchant 114, and can use that website to place an order. Thus, in this case, the website can provide at least some of the functionality attributed to the buyer application 132 herein.
= In addition, the drivers 122, who can be employed and or contracted by any of the merchants 114 or the service provider 102 or combinations of them, can be associated with respective driver devices 124 that can execute respective instances of driver applications 126.
= For example, drivers 122 can use driver devices 124, such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptops, desktops, or other such similar devices. These driver devices 124 can have the driver application 126 installed thereon. The driver application 126 can be configured to receive the dispatch combined order information 120 from the service provider computing device 104, to provide a particular driver 122 with information for Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 picking up the individual orders at the merchant pickup locations 128 and for delivering the combined order to the buyer delivery location 134.
= The driver application 126 can further enable the driver 122 to respond to the service provider computing device 104 to confirm acceptance or refusal of a delivery job.
= Additionally, in some cases, the driver application 126 can provide the service provider computing device 104 with an indication of a current location of a particular driver 122. In some examples, the driver application 126 and the service provider computing device 104 can communicate with each other via one or more APIs.
= The one or more networks 106 can include any network or combination of networks that is appropriate. For example, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet), a local area network (intranet), a wireless network (cellular network), a local wireless network (Wi-Fi), a close-range wireless communications network (e.g., BLUETOOTH or BLUETOOTH Low Energy), or any other network that may be appropriate.
= Accordingly, the service provider computing device 104, the merchant devices 118, the buyer devices 130, and the driver devices 124 are able to communicate over the one or more networks 106 using wired connections, wireless connections, or combinations thereof.
= In the illustrated example, the service provider computing device 104 includes an order processing module 136. The order processing module 136 can be executed on the service provider computing device 104 to provide, at least in part, the functionality attributed to the service provider computing device 104.
= The order processing module 136 can receive the buyer combined order information 108 from the buyer 110, and can associate the buyer combined order information 108 with buyer information 144 and merchant information 146.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The order processing module 136 can access a buyer account included in the buyer information 142 to charge a particular buyer account for a particular order using a payment gateway provided by the third party payment processor 154. For example, when a buyer 110 creates a buyer account or uses the service for making a purchase, the buyer 110 can provide credit card, debit card or other payment card information to enable the service provider 102 to charge the account of the buyer 110 for purchases made in the form of individual or combined orders placed by the buyer 110. In this description, unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "combined order" can also include the situation where only one individual order has been placed by a buyer 110.
= Furthermore, based on a particular merchant 114 identified by the buyer combined order information 108, the order processing module 136 can associate the buyer combined order information 108 with a merchant account of the particular merchant 114.
The order processing module 136 can access the merchant account to determine contact information for sending the individual order information 112 to the correct merchant device 118. Thereby, the particular merchant 114 can receive the individual order information 112, and then provide the individual order confirmation 116.
= The order processing module 136 can further access the merchant account of the particular merchant 114 to credit payment to that merchant 114.
= In addition, the order processing module 136 can access driver information 148 to determine driver contact details for sending the dispatch combined order information 120 to a particular driver(s) 122. For example, the order processing module 136 can determine whether the particular driver(s) 122 is willing to accept the job of picking up the items 138 from the pickup locations 128 and delivering the combined order to the delivery location 134.
= The particular driver 122 can use the driver application 126 on the driver device 124 to receive the dispatch combined order information 120, and to respond with acceptance of the delivery job. The driver 122 can subsequently pick up the individual orders from the merchants 114 at the pickup locations 128, and deliver Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 the combined order to the buyer 110 at the delivery location 134. When the driver 122 has completed delivery of the combined order to the delivery location 134, the driver 122 can use the driver application 126 to inform the order processing module 136 that the delivery has been completed.
= The order processing module 136 can access a driver account included in the driver information 148 for the driver 122, to credit the driver account of the driver 122 with payment for the delivery job.
= The order processing module 136 on the service provider computing device 104 can store data associated with each order as order information 150. For instance, the order information 150 can include the summation of the value of the items contained within the order, the date of the order, the exact time of the order, the merchants 114 contained within the order, the pickup location(s) 128 associated with the order, and the delivery location 134.
= The order information 150 can also include, for each order: a merchant identification number or the like; a buyer identification number or the like;
details of items 138 ordered; the preparation time(s) for the order; the location of the driver 122 when he accepts delivery of the order; the time that the order is picked up by the driver 122; the exact time that the order is confirmed as being delivered; the exact amount paid for the order; the estimated delivery time provided to the buyer 110 by the service provider 102; etc.
= As one example, a buyer 110 decides to place an order for delivery. The buyer 110 can access the buyer application 132 on the buyer device 130 to be presented with a GUI, which enables the buyer 110 to place a combined order. For example, the GUI
can present, for selection, information related to items available for delivery from one or more different merchants 114. Example GUIs are described below with reference to FIGS. 5-9.
= Further, the buyer application 132 can receive, via the GUI, a buyer 110 input to select an item 138 offered by a particular merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114. As Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 one example, the buyer 110 can scroll through a plurality of different merchants 114 and select the merchant 114(1) from which to order.
= The GUI can then present a menu of items 138(1) offered by the merchant 114(1).
The buyer 110 can scroll through the menu and select one or more items 138(1) provided by the merchant 114(1) that the buyer 110 would like to have delivered to a delivery location 134 associated with the buyer 110. When the buyer 110 has finished selecting the items 138(1) for delivery, at the checkout stage the buyer 110 can select an option to add items 138 from a separate merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114 located within a threshold distance of the first merchant 114(1). The one or more merchants 114 located within the threshold distance of the first merchant 114(1) are presented to the buyer 110 as part of a cross marketing arrangement 140 provided by the service provider 102; and in this example, include the merchant 114(2). The buyer 110 chooses to add items 138(2) offered by the merchant 114(2). The buyer 110 thus creates a combined order, obtaining items that they may not be normally able to obtain from the first merchant 114(1). See also the below description of an example GUI in relation to FIG. 5.
= Alternatively, the GUI can then present a menu of items 138(1) offered by the merchant 114(1), wherein such menu also includes a predetermined separate merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114 located within a threshold distance of the first merchant 114(1). The predetermined separate merchant 114 is presented as part of a cross marketing arrangement 140 provided by the service provider 102. In this example, the predetermined separate merchant 114 is the merchant 114(2). The buyer 110 can then select one or more items 138(1) provided by the merchant 114(1) that the buyer 110 would like to have delivered to a delivery location 134 associated with the buyer 110, and select one or more items 138(2) provided by the merchant 114(2) that the buyer 110 would like to combine into one order and have delivered to the delivery location 134. See also the below description of an example GUI in relation to FIG. 7.
= According to the above, the service provider 102 is able to determine that a second merchant device 132(2) associated with the second merchant 114(2) is within a threshold distance of the first merchant device 132(1). For instance, the threshold distance can be Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 limited to being within the same pickup address, in the same geographical area or zone, or similar. As one example, the threshold distance can be sufficiently close to a first pickup location 128(1) associated with the first merchant 114(1) such that a driver(s) 122 that delivers the combined order does not have to travel more than 5-10 minutes to pick up a second order at a second pickup location 128(2) associated with the second merchant 114(2).
= For example, the buyer combined order information 108 can include first merchant 114 account information that can be used to associate first order information with a first merchant 114 account. The first merchant 114 account can be associated with the first merchant device 118(1) and the first merchant 114(1). Similarly, the buyer combined order information 108 can include second merchant 114 account information that can be used to associate second order information with a second merchant 114 account. The second merchant 114 account can be associated with the second merchant device 118(2) and the second merchant 114(2).
= The buyer application 132 can send the buyer combined order information 108 to the service provider computing device 104. The order processing module 136 can combine the individual orders as a combined order, and send individual order information 112 to the particular merchants 114 identified by the first order information and the second order information.
= Additionally, the order processing module 140 can assign delivery of the combined order to one or more drivers 122 based on the various criteria and thresholds of the service provider delivery system 152. The order processing module 140 can then send the combined order information 108 to a particular assigned driver(s) 122, who can pick up the combined order from the pickup location(s) 128 of the merchant(s) 114. The driver(s) 122 delivers the combined order to the delivery location 134. See also the below description of examples in relation to FIG. 4.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The order processing module 140 can process payments and refunds associated with buyer information 144 through a payment gateway provided by an API of the third party payment processer 154.
= Further, the order processing module 140 can process payments and refunds associated with merchant information 146 through a payment gateway provided by the API
of the third party payment processer 154.
= FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process 200 for combining orders for delivery according to some implementations of the present invention. In some examples, the process 200 can be executed and coordinated by the service provider computing device 104, or by another suitable computing device.
= At step 202, the buyer's delivery location 134 is determined by the service provider computing device 104 receiving, from a buyer device 130 associated with a buyer 110, information for the delivery address.
= For example, the buyer's delivery location 134 is determined based on a current location of the buyer device 130, such as can be indicated by location information received from the buyer device 130. Thus the service provider computing device 104 can receive, from the buyer device 130, location information from one or more location sensors associated with the buyer device 130, and can determine an indicated delivery location 134 based at least in part on the location information from the one or more location sensors.
For instance, the buyer device 130 can include one or more on-board sensors that can be used to determine a geographical location of the buyer device 130. For example, such determination can be based on data received from an on-board Global Positioning System (GPS) device or a device with similar GPS locating capabilities. In this description, the term "GPS device" includes the meaning of a satellite navigation device, GPS
receiver, etc.
Alternatively, the buyer's delivery location 134 can be specified by the buyer 110 when placing the order.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = At step 204, one or more merchants 114 are located within a threshold distance of the buyer's delivery location 134, and the buyer device 130 receives from the service provider 102 a list of merchants 114 that the buyer 110 can order items from.
The list of merchants 114 can be presented to the buyer 110 within a GUI within a buyer app 132 or on a website.
= The service provider computing device 104 can determine that a second pickup location associated with a second merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114 is within a threshold distance of a first pickup location associated with a first merchant 114. For instance, the threshold distance can be different for different environments, such as the respective pickup locations being in the same geographical area or zone, same street, same complex or similar. As one example, the threshold distance can be sufficiently close such that the driver 122 does not spend more than 5-10 minutes traveling from the first pickup location to the second pickup location.
= At step 206, the service provider computing device 104 receives from the buyer device 130 an instruction to select the menu of items of the first merchant 114, and the service provider computing device 104 sends information to the buyer device 130 whereby a menu of items offered for sale by the first merchant 114 is presented to the buyer 110 within a GUI within a buyer app 132 or on a website. The buyer 110 then proceeds to select a first item from the menu of items offered for sale by the first merchant 114.
= At step 208, the buyer 110 is provided within a GUI within the buyer app 132 on the buyer device 130 with the option to create a combined order. The GUI providing the option can be presented either at the check-out stage of the first merchant 114 (see the example GUI in FIG. 5), or within the menu of the first merchant 114 (see the example GUI in FIG. 7), or within the menu of a merchant (or venue) 114 where the buyer 110 is located (see the example GUI in FIG. 8) = The service provider computing device 104 can receive, from the buyer device 130, an indication to create a combined order. For example, the buyer 110 can select by tapping on a section or area in a user interface presented on the buyer device 130, to indicate that Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 the buyer 110 would like to create a combined order; and this information can be sent to the service provider computing device 104.
= In some instances, the buyer 110 may not want to select and add items from a second merchant 114 to create a combined order. In such case, the buyer 110 is brought to an order confirmation page within a GUI within the buyer app 132 (see step 212).
= At step 210, if the service provider computing device 104 receives from the buyer device 130 an indication to create a combined order, a menu of items offered for sale by a second merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114 is presented to the buyer 110 within a GUI within the buyer app 132. The buyer 110 then proceeds to select a second item from the menu of items offered for sale by the second merchant 114.
= At step 212, the service provider computing device 104 receives from the buyer device 130 an order confirmation containing order information. The service provider computing device 104 can send to a first merchant device 118 associated with the first merchant 114 order information for ordering the first item; and where applicable, the service provider computing device 104 can send to a second merchant device 118 associated with the second merchant 114 order information for ordering the second item.
In the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed that the buyer 110 has created a combined order.
= At step 214, the buyer 110 is presented within the GUI within the buyer app 132 payment options that can include credit card, debit card, cash on delivery, etc. Payments by credit card and debit card are processed by the third party payment processor 154 through a third party payment gateway API. In the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed that payment is made by credit card or debit card.
= At step 216, upon payment being processed by the third party payment processor 154, the buyer device 130 is presented with confirmation from the service provider computing device 104 that the payment has been received. In the event that the payment is not processed, the buyer device 130 is returned to step 214 whereby the buyer device 130 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 is presented within a GUI within the buyer app 132 a selection of payment options. In the event that the payment is processed successfully, the process 200 continues to step 218.
= At step 218, the merchant devices 118 receive from the service provider computing device 104 respective individual order information 112 derived from the combined order.
= At step 220, each of the merchant devices 118 sends confirmation to the service provider computing device 104 with information on the order preparation time and the estimated pickup time of the item.
= At step 222, the order processing module 136 on the service provider computing device 104 assigns the pickups and delivery to a driver(s) 122, based on the confirmation information received from the merchants 114 and the various criteria and thresholds of the service provider delivery system 152. In the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed that the pickups and delivery have been assigned to a single driver 122.
= At step 224, the service provider computing device 104 sends, to the driver device 124 associated with the assigned driver 122, dispatch combined order information 120 indicating the delivery location 134 and pickup locations 128 associated with the merchants 114.
= At step 226, the service provider computing device 104 sends to the buyer device 130 and merchant devices 118 notification to confirm that the items contained within the combined order have been picked up by the assigned driver 122 at the pickup locations 128.
= At step 228, the service provider computing device 104 sends to the buyer device 130 and the merchant devices 118 notification to confirm that the items contained within the combined order have been delivered by the assigned driver 122 to the delivery location 134.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating aspects of a system 300 and processes for cross marketing and sales involving combined orders according to some implementations of the present invention. The diagram shows examples of various different system combinations of cross marketing arrangements 140 between different merchants 114 such as food merchants 114(2), 114(4), 114(5), 114(6) and alcohol merchants 114(1), 114(3).
The merchants 114 receive/confirm orders from/to a service provider computing device 104 over a network(s) 106 using merchant devices 118. Anybody skilled in the art can recognise that many cross marketing and sales combinations are possible with many different types of merchants 114 and entities. In the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed that there is one network 106.
= In some examples, the cross marketing and sales system 300 allows users such as merchants 114 to interact and create cross marketing and sales arrangements 140 with other merchants 114 based on the respective locations of the merchants 114.
This and other concepts described here are scalable and transferable across many different industries. Furthermore, any merchant 114 having the appropriate hardware such as a tablet device can implement aspects of the cross marketing and sales system 300 for its own uses.
= One aspect of the cross marketing and sales system 300 is the ability for merchants 114 and service providers 102 individually or in combination to facilitate and or create exclusive or non-exclusive partnerships and or arrangements for cross marketing and sales of items to individual buyers 110 or groups of buyers 110. Such partnerships and or arrangements can be based on certain geographical areas (or other kinds of territories), and can be structured according to certain timings, dates and periods, etc.
= In some examples of the cross marketing and sales system 300, merchants 114 can advertise generally and broadly to all or most customers. In other examples, merchants 114 can engage in targeted advertising¨e.g., advertising at specific time periods, for specific products, in specific locations, or to specific individuals or groups.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = In one implementation, a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140 can allow merchants 114 to sponsor deliveries if a buyer 110 purchases a particular item(s) from a particular merchant 114 in a combined order with another merchant 114. In this model, a merchant 114 would only have to spend money on advertising if a customer buys its product. For the buyer 110, the appeal of free delivery would be an incentive to consider switching to the merchant's products or adding the merchant's products to an order. This would create methods for merchants 114 to acquire new customers and release new products.
= In one example, an alcohol merchant 114(1) such as a brewery could offer to cover the cost of delivery of a combined order. In this situation, a buyer 110 using a buyer device 130 sends an order over the network 106 to the service provider computing device 104 to buy the brewery's items (such as a particular brand of beer) as part of a combined order with items from a particular food merchant 114(2) such as a pizza restaurant.
= In one implementation, a service provider 102 can cross market items from various merchants 114 in an online platform, and can promote particular items from a particular first merchant 114 with a particular second merchant 114 based on data such as past orders, etc.
= In one example, a service provider 102 can have menus of one or more merchants 114 within a GUI within a buyer app 132 on a buyer device 130 that advertises food items from a food merchant 114(2) and alcohol items from an alcohol merchant 114(1), in order to create a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140. The service provider computing device 104 can receive over the network 106 from a buyer device 130 a combined order containing items from the food merchant 114(2) and items from the alcohol merchant 114(1) to be delivered to the buyer's location. Alternatively, the delivery location 134 can be the location of one of the merchants 114(1), 114 (2) contained within the combined order.
For example, the buyer 110 can arrange to pick up the combined order from either the food merchant 114(2) or the alcohol merchant 114(1).

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = Additionally, based on past order data, the service provider 102 can promote and advertise particular items of a particular first merchant 114 within the menu or checkout of a particular second merchant 114 within a GUI within a buyer app 132 on a buyer device 130, in order to drive sales of the items of the first merchant 114.
= As one example, a food merchant 114(5) such as a food truck that does not sell alcohol can have a menu within a GUI within a buyer app 132 on a buyer device 130. The menu advertises alcohol items from an alcohol merchant 114(1) in a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140 at a specific time that the food truck is within a specific location. The service provider computing device 104 can receive over the network 106 from a buyer device 130 a combined order containing items from the food merchant 114(5) and items from the alcohol merchant 114(1) to be delivered in a combined delivery to the buyer's location.
= Additionally or alternatively, based on past order data, the service provider 102 can sell promotional and advertising slots to enable merchants 114 to target customers of a particular merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114. For example, a particular alcohol merchant 114(1) can purchase advertising slots to advertise and promote alcohol items within the menu or check out process of a food merchant 114(2) such as a restaurant, with the slots designated at specific times, on specific days, and the like. For example, a pizza restaurant can advertise items within a pub menu on days when demand for pizza is low and the pub is busy, in order to increase sales of pizza on those days.
Another example would be a pizza restaurant advertising items within the menu of a liquor store during the times when the liquor store has high demand for delivery of alcohol items.
= In one implementation, a first merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114 can create a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140 in the form of a partnership or the like with a second merchant 114 of one or more merchants 114.
= As one example, a venue 302 such as a comedy club that does not sell either food or alcohol can have a menu within a GUI within a buyer app 132 on a buyer device 130. The buyer device 130 is owned by the venue 302, and provided within the venue 302 to the Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 buyer 110 for the purpose of placing an order. The menu advertises food items from a food merchant 114(2) and alcohol items from an alcohol merchant 114(1) in a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140. The service provider computing device 104 can receive over the network 106 from the buyer device 130 an order containing items from the alcohol merchant 114(1) and or items from the food merchant 114(2), to be delivered to the buyer 110 at the venue 302.
= In another example, an alcohol merchant 114(3) such as a pub that does not sell food can have a menu within a GUI within a buyer app 132 on a buyer device 130. The buyer device 130 is owned by the pub and provided within the pub to the buyer 110 for the purpose of placing an order. The menu advertises food items from a food merchant 114(4) in a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140. The service provider computing device 104 can receive over the network 106 from the buyer device 130 an order containing items from the alcohol merchant 114(3) to be served within the pub and or items from the food merchant 114(4) to be delivered to the buyer's location at the pub.
= As another example, a food merchant 114(6) such as a food truck that does not sell alcohol can have a menu within a GUI within a buyer app 132 on a buyer device 130. The buyer device 130 is owned by the food truck, and provided at the food truck to the buyer 110 for the purpose of placing an order. The menu advertises alcohol items from an alcohol merchant 114(1) in a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140. The service provider computing device 104 can receive over the network 106 from the buyer device 130 an order containing items from the food merchant 114(6) to be served at the food truck and or items from the alcohol merchant 114(1) to be delivered to the buyer's location at the food truck.
In another example, a food merchant 114(6) such as a food truck can be booked to attend a party on demand or at a scheduled date at the buyer's location. The buyer 110 can create a combined order containing items from a food merchant 114(6) and an alcohol merchant 114(1) to be served at the party.
= FIG. 4 is a diagram showing aspects of a combined order delivery system according to some implementations of the present invention. The diagram illustrates examples of various different combinations of pickup and delivery by drivers 122 in a shared Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 and unshared delivery arrangement according to the criteria and thresholds of the service provider delivery system 152 of the service provider computing device 104.
Anybody skilled in the art can recognise that many delivery combinations are possible.
= Drivers 122 are assigned based on various criteria and thresholds determined by the service provider delivery system 152. For example, availability of drivers 122, location of drivers 122, location of pickup(s), location of delivery(ies), source(s) of order(s), delivery agreement(s) between merchants 114, operating timings of the merchants 114, etc.
= For instance, the service provider computing device 104 can communicate over one or more networks 106 with one or more driver devices 124, some of which are associated with active drivers 122 and some of which are associated with inactive drivers 122. The service provider computing device 104 can receive communications from the driver devices 124 associated with active drivers 122 who are willing to be assigned delivery jobs. In the following description, unless the context indicates otherwise, it will be assumed that there is one network 106.
= Furthermore, the service provider computing device 104 can receive location information obtained from one or more location sensors associated with each driver device 124 of an active driver 122. For instance, the driver devices 124 of active drivers 122 can report their current locations to the service provider computing device 104 based on information from one or more on-board sensors, such as data received from a GPS device or a device with similar GPS locating capabilities. Therefore the driver devices 124 associated with the active drivers 122 can communicate with the service provider computing device 104, and can send location information obtained from one or more location sensors associated with each driver device 124. The location information can indicate respective geographical locations of each driver device 124.
= The service provider computing device 104 can determine respective indicated locations of the active driver devices 124 within a delivery service zone.
Based on the indicated locations, the service provider computing device 104 can select a particular driver 122 to which to assign the order, so as to minimize driver travel time to the pickup Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 location(s). If there is no active driver 122 nearby, the service provider computing device 104 can send a message to a driver device 124 associated with at least one inactive driver 122 for the purpose of activating the inactive driver 122. For example, the service provider computing device 104 can send communications over the network 106 to one or more driver devices 124 associated with the inactive drivers 122, to determine current locations of the inactive drivers 122 and or to determine whether the inactive drivers 122 are willing to become active for the purpose of delivering orders. If there is an inactive driver 122 near the pickup location(s) who is willing to become active for the purpose of delivering orders, the delivery job can be assigned to that driver 122.
= Further, the service provider computing device 104 can select a particular driver 122 to which to assign the order based on the source of the combined order or based on a delivery agreement between particular merchants 114. For example, a combined order is made by a buyer 110 through a buyer app 132 within a buyer device 130. A
particular food merchant's menu within the GUI within the buyer app 132 can give priority to a driver 122 contracted or employed by that food merchant 114 to make the delivery to the buyer 110.
Alternatively, a food merchant 114 and an alcohol merchant 114 can have an agreement to share pickups and deliveries.
= In one implementation, an Independent driver 122(1) receives on a driver device 124(1) an order assigned for delivery by the service provider computing device 104. The order is to pick up items 138(1) from an alcohol merchant 114(1) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and pick up items 138(2) from a food merchant 114(2) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and then deliver the items 138(1), 138(2) to the buyer 110 at a delivery location 134 determined by the buyer device 130. For example, the buyer 110 places an order for delivery of pizza from a pizza restaurant and beer from a beer store to be delivered in one combined order to their home, and one independent driver 122(1) picks up the items from both pickup locations and delivers them to the buyer's home.
= In another implementation, a food merchant's driver 122(2) receives on a driver device 124(2) an order assigned for delivery by the service provider computer device 104.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 The order is to pick up items 138(1) from the alcohol merchant 114(1) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and pick up items 138(2) from the food merchant 114(2) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and then deliver the items 138(1), 138(2) to the buyer 110 at a delivery location 134 determined by the buyer device 130. For example, the buyer 110 places an order for delivery of pizza from a pizza restaurant and beer from a beer store to be delivered in one combined order to their home. The driver 122(2) employed by the pizza restaurant picks up the pizza from the pizza restaurant where he is employed and then picks up the beer on the way to delivering the pizza to the buyer 110. In this way, the risk of spoiling of hot pizza or cold beer is minimized.
= In another implementation, an alcohol merchant's driver 122(3) receives on a driver device 124(3) an order assigned for delivery by the service provider computing device 104.
The order is to pick up items 138(2) from the food merchant 114(2) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and pick up items 138(1) from the alcohol merchant 114(1) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and then deliver the items 138(1), 138(2) to the buyer 110 at a delivery location 134 determined by the buyer device 130. For example, the buyer 110 places an order for delivery of pizza from a pizza restaurant and beer from a beer store to be delivered in one combined order to their home. The driver 122(3) working for the beer store picks up the beer from the beer store he is working in and then picks up the pizza on the way to delivering the beer to the buyer 110. In this way, the risk of spoiling of cold beer or hot pizza is minimized.
= In another implementation, a food merchant's driver 122(2) receives on a driver device 124(2) an order assigned for delivery by the service provider computing device 104.
The order is to pick up items 138(2) from the food merchant 114(2) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and deliver the items 138(2) to the alcohol merchant 114(1) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118. Further, the alcohol merchant's driver 122(3) receives on the driver device 124(3) an order assigned for delivery of the items 138(2) and items 138(1) to the buyer 110 at a delivery location 134 determined by the buyer device Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 130. For example, the buyer 110 places an order for delivery of pizza from a pizza restaurant and beer from a beer store to be delivered in one combined order to their home. The driver 122(2) contracted by the pizza restaurant picks up the pizza from the pizza restaurant he is contracted to, and delivers the pizza to the beer store. Then the driver 122(3) employed by the beer store picks up the pizza and beer and delivers the combined order to the buyer 110.
= In another implementation, the alcohol merchant's driver 122(3) receives on the driver device 124(3) an order assigned for delivery by the service provider computing device 104. The order is to pick up items 138(1) from the alcohol merchant 114(1) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and deliver the items 138(1) to the food merchant 114(2) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118. Further, the buyer 110 receives on the buyer device 130 information from the service provider computing device 104 to pick up the items 138(1) and items 138(2) at the food merchant 114(2). For example, the buyer 110 places an order for the delivery of beer from a beer store to a pizza restaurant, and for the buyer 110 to pick up the beer and pizza from the pizza restaurant. The driver 122(3) working for the beer store picks up the beer from the beer store he is working in and delivers the beer to the pizza restaurant. Then the buyer 110 picks up the combined order of pizza and beer at the pizza restaurant.
= In another implementation, the Independent driver 122(1) receives on the driver device 124(1) an order assigned for delivery by the service provider computing device 104.
The order is to pick up items 138(2) from the food merchant 114(2) whose location is determined by the location of the corresponding merchant device 118, and deliver the items 138(2) to the buyer 110 at a delivery location 134 determined by the location of the buyer device 130. For example, the buyer 110 places an order for delivery of pizza from a pizza restaurant to a pub where he can consume the pizza at the pub. The independent driver 122(1) picks up the pizza from the pizza restaurant and delivers the pizza to the pub where the buyer 110 is located.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = FIG. 5 illustrates an example graphical user interface 500 that can be presented on a display 502 associated with the buyer device 130 according to some implementations of the present invention. The GUI 500 presents information, such as information related to an order to be placed by the buyer 110 using the buyer device 130. The GUI 500 includes a delivery address 504 to which the order can be delivered. In some examples, the delivery address 504 can be determined by the buyer application 132 based on a current location of the buyer device 130. For example, the current location can be determined from data received from an on-board GPS device or a device with similar GPS locating capabilities.
Alternatively, the current location can be determined from wireless access point information, cell tower information, and/or through various other techniques.
= In one example, upon obtaining the GUI 500, the buyer 110 can be asked if the buyer application 132 is allowed to use the buyer's current location. For instance, a mobile app can via a push notification request access to a buyer's location the first time the buyer 110 loads the mobile app after downloading it. If the buyer 110 does not allow access, he is prompted to manually turn on the access in the mobile device settings.
Thereby, the buyer's location is determined, for instance using geolocation.
= In some examples, the delivery address 504 may have been previously entered by the buyer 110, and/or may be a default location that can be changed by the buyer 110 through interaction of the buyer 110 with the GUI 500.
= For instance, suppose that when placing the order, the buyer 110 is in one location, but is planning to go to another location to receive the order. Accordingly, the buyer 110 can specify the delivery address 504 to be an address different from the buyer's current location.
= The GUI 500 further includes a user icon 506 that the buyer 110 can select. Then the buyer 110 can view or change a buyer account associated with the order, or can access other information of the buyer account.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = In the illustrated example, suppose that the buyer 110 has been presented with a listing of merchants 114, and has selected a particular merchant 114. The merchant 114 is the Acme Pizza Restaurant, which is indicated in the GUI 500 by an identifying image 522 associated with the merchant 114 and a name 508 of the merchant 114.
Further, suppose that the buyer 110 has already completed selection of several items from a menu of the merchant 114. Accordingly, the GUI 500 can present the selections made by the buyer 110, which can include a listing 512 of the selected items. The listing 512 includes the price for each selected item.
= If the buyer 110 desires to make any changes to the items selected, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) an area 510 in the GUI 500 to either add more items or remove a selected item. As indicated at area 514, the GUI 500 can further present an estimated delivery time for the order if the buyer 110 were to proceed immediately with placement of the order 518 without creating a combined order. Alternatively, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) the area 516 and create a combined order with a nearby merchant 114, which in this example is an alcohol merchant 114.
= If the buyer 110 decides to create a combined order and taps (or otherwise selects) the area 516, he is provided with a range of alcohol merchants 114, from which one such alcohol merchant 114 can be selected. When the menu of that alcohol merchant 114 is presented, alcohol items can be selected and added to the order to create the combined order.
= Additionally, if the buyer 110 decides to schedule the order for a specific delivery time, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) an area 520 in the GUI 500.
The buyer 110 is then provided with the option to select a specific delivery time for when the order should be delivered to him.
= FIG. 6 illustrates an example graphical user interface 600 that can be presented on a display 602 associated with the buyer device 130 according to some implementations of the present invention. The GUI 600 presents information, such as information related to a combined order to be placed by the buyer 110 using the buyer device 130. The Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 GUI 600 includes a delivery address 604 to which the order can be delivered.
In some examples, the delivery address 604 can be determined by the buyer application 132 based on a current location of the buyer device 130. For example, the current location can be determined from data received from an on-board GPS device or a device with similar GPS
locating capabilities. Alternatively, the current location can be determined from wireless access point information, cell tower information, and/or through various other techniques.
= In one example, upon obtaining the GUI 600, the buyer 110 can be asked if the buyer application 132 is allowed to use the buyer's current location. For instance, a mobile app can via a push notification request access to a buyer's location the first time the buyer 110 loads the mobile app after downloading it. If the buyer 110 does not allow access, he is prompted to manually turn on the access in the mobile device settings.
Thereby, the buyer's location is determined, for instance using geolocation.
= In some examples, the delivery address 604 may have been previously entered by the buyer 110, and/or may be a default location that can be changed by the buyer 110 through interaction of the buyer 110 with the GUI 600.
= For instance, suppose that when placing the order, the buyer 110 is in one location, but is planning to go to another location to receive the order. Accordingly, the buyer 110 can specify the delivery address 604 to be an address different from the buyer's current location.
= The GUI 600 further includes a user icon 606 that the buyer 110 can select. Then the buyer 110 can view or change a buyer account associated with the order, or can access other information of the buyer account.
= In the illustrated example, suppose that the buyer 110 has been presented with a listing(s) of merchants 114, and has selected two particular merchants 114, which in this example are the Acme Pizza Restaurant and Big Beer Store Inc. Each of these merchants 114 is indicated by an identifying image 622, 624 and a name 607, 608 in the GUI
600. Further, suppose that the buyer 110 has already completed selection of several items from menus of Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 the merchants 114. Accordingly, the GUI 600 can present the selections made by the buyer 110, which can include a listing 610 of the selected items. The listing 610 includes the price for each selected item.
= If the buyer 110 desires to make any changes to the items selected, he can tap (or otherwise select) an area 614 in the GUI 600 to either add more items or remove a selected item. As indicated at area 612, the GUI 600 can further present an estimated delivery time for the combined order from both merchants 114 if the buyer 110 were to proceed immediately with placement of the order 618.
= Additionally, if the buyer 110 decides to schedule the order for a specific delivery time, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) an area 620 in the GUI 600.
The buyer 110 is then provided with the option to select a specific delivery time for when the order should be delivered to him.
= FIG. 7 illustrates an example graphical user interface 700 that can be presented on a display 702 associated with the buyer device 130 according to some implementations of the present invention. The GUI 700 presents information, such as information related to an order to be placed by the buyer 110 using the buyer device 130. The GUI 700 includes a delivery address 704 to which the order can be delivered. In some examples, the delivery address 704 can be determined by the buyer application 132 based on a current location of the buyer device 130. For example, the current location can be determined from GPS
information provided by an on-board GPS device or a device with similar GPS
locating capabilities. Alternatively, the current location can be determined from wireless access point information, cell tower information, and/or through various other techniques.
= In one example, upon obtaining the GUI 700, the buyer 110 can be asked if the buyer application 132 is allowed to use the buyer's current location. For instance, a mobile app can via a push notification request access to a buyer's location the first time the buyer 110 loads the mobile app after downloading it. If the buyer 110 does not allow access, he is prompted to manually turn on the access in the mobile device settings.
Thereby, the buyer's location is determined, for instance using geolocation.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = In some examples, the delivery address 704 may have been previously entered by the buyer 110, and/or may be a default location that can be changed by the buyer 110 through interaction of the buyer 110 with the GUI 700.
= For instance, suppose that when placing the order, the buyer 110 is in one location, but is planning to go to another location to receive the order. Accordingly, the buyer 110 can specify the delivery address 704 to be an address different from the buyer's current location.
= The GUI 700 further includes a user icon 706 that the buyer 110 can select. Then the buyer 110 can view or change a buyer account associated with the order, or can access other information of the buyer account.
= In the illustrated example, suppose that the buyer 110 has been presented with a listing of merchants 114, and has selected a particular merchant 114, which in this example is the Acme Pizza Restaurant. This merchant 114 is indicated in the GUI 700 by an identifying image 722 associated with the merchant 114, and a name 707 of the merchant 114. Further, suppose that the buyer 110 is in the process of selecting items from the menu of the merchant 114 as indicated at area 706 in the GUI 700. The buyer 110 can choose to create a combined order by tapping (or otherwise selecting) the area 708 in the GUI
700, to add items from a predetermined second merchant 114 who is part of a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140. In this example, the second merchant 114 is Big Beer Store Inc.
= If the buyer 110 desires to view the check-out which lists all the items contained within the combined order, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) an area 710 in the GUI 700.
= FIG. 8 illustrates an example graphical user interface 800 that can be presented on a display 802 associated with the buyer device 130 according to some implementations of the present invention. The GUI 800 presents information, such as information related to an order to be placed by the buyer 110 using the buyer device 130. The GUI 800 includes a Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 delivery address 804 to which the order can be delivered. In this case, the delivery address 804 is a table located within the premises (venue) of a particular merchant 114.
= The GUI 800 further includes a user icon 806 that the buyer 110 can select. Then the buyer 110 can change a buyer account associated with the order, or can access other information of the buyer account.
= In the illustrated example, suppose that the buyer 110 is located in the venue of the merchant 114, which in this example is the Laughs R Us Comedy Club. This venue is indicated in the GUI 800 by an identifying image 822 associated with the venue and a name 807 of the venue. Further, suppose that the buyer 110 is in the process of selecting items from the menu of the venue as indicated at area 812 in the GUI 800. The buyer 110 can choose to create a combined order by tapping (or otherwise selecting) the area 816 and or the area 814 in the GUI 800 to add items from two different predetermined merchants 114 who are part of a cross marketing and sales arrangement 140. In this example, the two merchants 114 are Acme Pizza Restaurant and Big Beer Store Inc.
= If the buyer 110 desires to view the check-out which lists all the items contained within the combined order, he can tap (or otherwise select) an area 818 in the GUI 800.
= FIG. 9 illustrates an example graphical user interface 900 that can be presented on a display 902 associated with the buyer device 130 according to some implementations of the present invention. The GUI 900 presents information, such as information related to an order to be placed by the buyer 110 using the buyer device 130. The GUI 900 includes a delivery address 904 to which the order can be delivered for the buyer 110 to pick up. In some examples, the delivery address 904 can be the same location as one of the merchants 114 within the combined order.
= In one example, upon obtaining the GUI 900, the buyer 110 can be asked if the buyer application 132 is allowed to use the buyer's current location. For instance, a mobile app can via a push notification request access to a buyer's location the first time the buyer 110 loads the mobile app after downloading it. If the buyer 110 does not allow access, the buyer Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 110 is prompted to manually turn on the access in the mobile device settings.
Thereby, the buyer's location is determined, for instance using geolocation.
= In some examples, the delivery address 904 may have been previously entered by the buyer 110, and/or may be a default location that can be changed by the buyer 110 through interaction of the buyer 110 with the GUI 900.
= For instance, suppose that when placing the order, the buyer 110 is in one location, but is planning to go to another location to receive the order. Accordingly, the buyer 110 can specify the delivery address 904 to be an address different from the buyer's current location.
= The GUI 900 further includes a user icon 906 that the buyer 110 can select. Then the buyer 110 can view or change a buyer account associated with the order, or can access other information of the buyer account.
= In the illustrated example, suppose that the buyer 110 has been presented with a listing of merchants 114, and has selected particular merchants 114, which in this example are the Acme Pizza Restaurant and Big Beer Store Inc. Each of these merchants 114 is indicated in the GUI 900 by an identifying image 922, 924 and a name 907, 908.
Further, suppose that the buyer 110 has already completed selection of several items from menus of the merchants 114. Accordingly, the GUI 900 can present the selections made by the buyer 110, which can include a listing 910 of the selected items. The listing 910 includes the price for each selected item.
= If the buyer 110 desires to make any changes to the items selected, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) an area 914 in the GUI 900 to either add more items or remove a selected item. As indicated at area 912, the GUI 900 can further present an estimated pickup time for the combined order from one of the merchants 114 if the buyer 110 were to proceed immediately with placement of the order 918.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = Additionally, if the buyer 110 decides to schedule the order for a specific pickup time, the buyer 110 can tap (or otherwise select) an area 912 in the GUI 900.
The buyer 110 is then provided with the option to select a specific pickup time for when the order should be picked up by him.
= FIG. 10 schematically illustrates certain components of the service provider computing device 104 that can be used to implement the functionality of the cross marketing, combined ordering and delivery services described herein. The service provider computing device 104 can include one or more servers or other types of computing devices that can be embodied in any number of ways.
= In the illustrated example, each service provider computing device 104 can include at least one processor 1002, one or more computer-readable media 1004, and one or more communication interfaces 1010.
= Each processor 1002 can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the computer-readable media 1004. That is, the computer-readable media 1004 can program the processor 1002 to perform the functions described herein.
= The computer-readable media 1004 can include memory and or removable and non-removable media implemented in any type of technology for storage of information. Such information can include for example computer-readable processor-executable instructions, data structures, and program modules or other data. Examples of memory are RAM, ROM, [[PROM, etc.
= The computer-readable media 1004 can be used to store any number of functional components that are executable by the processor 1002. In many implementations, these functional components comprise instructions or programs that are executable by the processor 1002 and that, when executed, specifically configure the processor 1002 to perform the actions attributed above to the service provider computing device 104.
Functional components stored in the computer-readable media 1004 can include:
the order processing module 136, which can receive and combine orders, and perform various Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 other functions; the third party payment processor 154 for receiving payments from customers and sending payments to merchants 114; the service provider delivery system 152 for assigning delivery pickups and deliveries of combined orders to the one or more drivers 122 based on varying criteria and thresholds; and an operating system 1006 for controlling and managing various functions of the service provider computing device 104.
= In addition, the computer-readable media 1004 can store data used for performing the operations described herein. Thus the computer-readable media 1004 can store: the buyer information 144, including buyer accounts 1014 associated with the respective buyers 110; the merchant information 146, including merchant accounts 1016 associated with the respective merchants 114; the driver information 148, including driver accounts 1018 associated with the respective drivers 122; and the order information 150.
= The service provider computing device 104 can also include or maintain other functional components and data not specifically shown in FIG. 10. For example, other modules and data 1008, which can include programs, drivers, etc., and the data used or generated by the functional components.
= The communication interfaces 1010 can include one or more interfaces and hardware components for enabling communication with various other devices, such as over the network 106.
= The service provider computing device 104 can further be equipped with various input/output (I/O) devices 1012. Such I/O devices 1012 can include a display, various user interface controls, audio speakers, connection ports, etc.
= FIG. 11 schematically illustrates certain components of the buyer device 130 that can be used by a buyer 110 to implement the functionality of the combined ordering and delivery services described herein. The buyer device 130 can be any of a number of different types of portable computing or communication devices. Some examples are smart phones, other mobile communication devices, tablet computing devices, laptops, netbooks, and any Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 other portable devices capable of sending and receiving communications and performing the functions according to the techniques of the systems described herein.
Furthermore, in some examples, the buyer device 130 can be a stationary or semi-stationary device, such as a desktop computer, a smart TV or another device with computing capabilities.
= In the illustrated embodiment, the buyer device 130 includes components such as at least one processor 1104, one or more computer-readable media 1106, one or more communication interfaces 1108, and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 1110. Each processor 1104 can itself comprise one or more processors or processing cores.
The processor 1104 can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable processor-executable instructions stored in the computer-readable media 1106.
= Depending on the configuration of the buyer device 130, the computer-readable media 1106 can be tangible non-transitory computer storage media, and can include memory and or removable and non-removable media implemented in any type of technology for storage of information. Such information can include for example computer-readable processor-executable instructions, data structures, and program modules or other data. Examples of memory are RAM, ROM, [[PROM, etc.
= Accordingly, the computer-readable media 1106 can be computer storage media able to store instructions, modules or components that can be executed by the processor 1104.
= The computer-readable media 1106 can be used to store and maintain any number of functional components that are executable by the processor 1104. In some implementations, these functional components comprise instructions or programs that are executable by the processor 1104 and that, when executed, implement operational logic for performing the actions and services attributed above to the buyer device 130.
Functional components of the buyer device 130 stored in the computer-readable media 1106 can include the buyer application 132. The buyer application 132 can present the buyer 110 with one or more GUIs for creating combined orders, some examples of which are described above in relation to FIGS. 5-9. Additional functional components can include an operating Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 system 1114 for controlling and managing various functions of the buyer device 130, and for enabling basic user interactions with the buyer device 130.
= In addition, the computer-readable media 1106 can store data, data structures and the like, which are used by the functional components. Depending on the type of the buyer device 130, the computer-readable media 1106 can also optionally include other functional components and data, such as other modules and data 1116. The other modules and data 1116 can include applications, programs, drivers, etc., and the data used or generated by the functional components.
= The communication interfaces 1108 can include one or more interfaces and hardware components for enabling communication with various other devices, such as over the network 106 or directly.
= FIG. 11 further illustrates that the buyer device 130 can include a display 1102.
Depending on the type of computing device used as the buyer device 130, the display 1102 can employ any suitable display technology. In some examples, the display 1102 can have a touch sensor associated therewith. Accordingly, the display 1102 provides a touchscreen display configured to receive touch inputs for enabling interaction with a GUI presented on the display 1102. Overall, implementations described herein are not limited to any particular display technology.
= The I/O devices 1110 can include speakers, a microphone, a camera, etc.
Other components included in the buyer device 130 can include various types of sensors, which can include a GPS device 1112. In some cases, the GPS device 1112 can be used by the buyer application 132 to advise a current geographical location of the buyer device 130.
Additionally, or alternatively, the communication interfaces 1108 can be used to determine the current location of the buyer device 130. Such determination is based on communication with nearby cell towers, wireless access points, or similar. In some examples, the buyer application 132 can send the location information to the service provider computing device 104 as an indicated delivery location 134 for the associated buyer 110.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = Additionally, the buyer device 130 can include various other components that are not shown. For example, a removable storage, a power source such as a battery and power control unit, and so on.
= FIG. 12 schematically illustrates certain components of the driver device 124 that can be used by a driver 122 to implement the functionality of the combined ordering and delivery services described herein. The driver device 124 can be any of a number of different types of portable computing devices. Some examples of the driver device 124 are smart phones, other mobile communication devices, tablet computing devices, laptops, netbooks, and other portable computers or devices capable of sending and receiving communications and performing the functions according to the techniques of the systems described herein.
= In the illustrated embodiment, the driver device 124 includes components such as at least one processor 1204, one or more computer-readable media 1206, one or more communication interfaces 1208, and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 1210. Each processor 1204 can itself comprise one or more processors or processing cores.
The processor 1204 can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable processor-executable instructions stored in the computer-readable media 1206.
= Depending on the configuration of the driver device 124, the computer-readable media 1204 can be tangible non-transitory computer storage media, and can include memory and or removable and non-removable media implemented in any type of technology for storage of information. Such information can include for example computer-readable processor-executable instructions, data structures, and program modules or other data. Examples of memory are RAM, ROM, [[PROM, etc.
= Accordingly, the computer-readable media 1206 can be computer storage media able to store instructions, modules or components that can be executed by the processor 1204.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The computer-readable media 1206 can be used to store and maintain any number of functional components that are executable by the processor 1204. In some implementations, these functional components comprise instructions or programs that are executable by the processor 1204 and that, when executed, implement operational logic for performing the actions and services attributed above to the driver device 124.
Functional components of the driver device 124 stored in the computer-readable media 1206 can include the driver application 126. The driver application 126 can present the driver 122 with one or more GUIs for receiving assigned orders, some examples of which are described above in relation to FIG. 4. Additional functional components can include an operating system 1214 for controlling and managing various functions of the driver device 124, and for enabling basic user interactions with the driver device 124.
= In addition, the computer-readable media 1206 can store data, data structures and the like, which are used by the functional components. Depending on the type of the driver device 124, the computer-readable media 1206 can also optionally include other functional components and data, such as other modules and data 1216. The other modules and data 1216 can include applications (for example an ID verification module), programs, drivers, etc., and the data used or generated by the functional components.
= The communication interfaces 1208 can include one or more interfaces and hardware components for enabling communication with various other devices, such as over the network 106 or directly.
= FIG. 12 further illustrates that the driver device 124 can include a display 1202.
Depending on the type of computing device used as the driver device 124, the display 1202 can employ any suitable display technology. In some examples, the display 1202 can have a touch sensor associated therewith. Accordingly, the display 1202 provides a touchscreen display configured to receive touch inputs for enabling interaction with a GUI presented on the display 1202. Overall, implementations described herein are not limited to any particular display technology.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The I/O devices 1210 can include speakers, a microphone, a camera, etc.
Other components included in the driver device 124 can include various types of sensors, which can include a GPS device 1212. In some cases, the GPS device 1212 can be used by the driver application 126 to advise a current geographical location of the driver device 124.
Additionally, or alternatively, the communication interfaces 1208 can be used to determine the current location of the driver device 124. Such determination is based on communication with nearby cell towers, wireless access points, or similar. In some examples, the driver application 126 can send the location information to the service provider computing device 104 as an indicated current location for the associated driver 122.
= Additionally, the driver device 124 can include various other components that are not shown. For example, a removable storage, a power source such as a battery and power control unit, etc.
= FIG. 13 schematically illustrates certain components of the merchant device 118 that can be used by a merchant 114 to implement the functionality of the cross marketing, combined ordering and delivery services described herein. The merchant device 118 can be any of a number of different types of portable computing devices. Some examples of the merchant device 118 include smart phones, other mobile communication devices, tablet computing devices, laptops, netbooks, and other portable computers or devices capable of sending and receiving communications and performing the functions according to the techniques of the systems described herein. Furthermore, in some examples, the merchant device 118 can be a stationary or semi-stationary device, such as a desktop computer, a smart TV or another device with computing capabilities.
= In the illustrated embodiment, the merchant device 118 includes components such as at least one processor 1304, one or more computer-readable media 1306, one or more communication interfaces 1308, and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 1310. Each processor 1304 can itself comprise one or more processors or processing cores.
The processor 1304 can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable processor-executable instructions stored in the computer-readable media 1306.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = Depending on the configuration of the merchant device 118, the computer-readable media 1306 can be tangible non-transitory computer storage media, and can include memory and or removable and non-removable media implemented in any type of technology for storage of information. Such information can include for example computer-readable processor-executable instructions, data structures, and program modules or other data. Examples of memory are RAM, ROM, [[PROM, etc.
= Accordingly, the computer-readable media 1306 can be computer storage media able to store instructions, modules or components that can be executed by the processor 1304.
= The computer-readable media 1306 can be used to store and maintain any number of functional components that are executable by the processor 1304. In some implementations, these functional components comprise instructions or programs that are executable by the processor 1304 and that, when executed, implement operational logic for performing the actions and services attributed above to the merchant device 118.
Functional components of the merchant device 118 stored in the computer-readable media 1306 can include the merchant application 142. Additional functional components can include an operating system 1314 for controlling and managing various functions of the merchant device 118 and for enabling basic user interactions with the merchant device 118, a stock inventory system 1316 for maintaining data and providing information of stock inventory associated with the merchant, and a POS system 1318 to enable the merchant 114 to accept payments from the merchant device 118.
= In addition, the computer-readable media 1306 can store data, data structures and the like, which are used by the functional components. Depending on the type of the merchant device 118, the computer-readable media 1306 can also optionally include other functional components and data, such as other modules and data 1320. The other modules and data 1320 can include applications, programs (for example an ID
verification module), drivers, etc., and the data used or generated by the functional components.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 = The communication interfaces 1308 can include one or more interfaces and hardware components for enabling communication with various other devices, such as over the network 106 or directly.
= FIG. 13 further illustrates that the merchant device 118 can include a display 1302.
Depending on the type of computing device used as the merchant device 118, the display 1302 can employ any suitable display technology. In some examples, the display 1302 can have a touch sensor associated therewith. Accordingly, the display 1302 provides a touchscreen display configured to receive touch inputs for enabling interaction with a GUI presented on the display 1302. Overall, implementations described herein are not limited to any particular display technology.
= The I/O devices 1310 can include speakers, a microphone, a camera, etc.
Other components included in the merchant device 118 can include various types of sensors, which can include a GPS device 1312. In some cases, the GPS device 1312 can be used by the merchant application 142 to advise a current geographical location of the merchant device 118. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication interfaces 1308 can be used to determine the current location of the merchant device 118. Such determination is based on communication with nearby cell towers, wireless access points, or similar. In some examples, the merchant application 142 can send the location information to the service provider computing device 104 as an indicated pickup and or delivery location 128 and/or 134 for the associated merchant 114.
= Additionally, the merchant device 118 can include various other components that are not shown. For example, a removable storage, a power source such as a battery and power control unit, etc.
= It is contemplated for examples described herein to extend to individual elements and concepts described herein, independently of other concepts, ideas or systems; as well as for examples to include combinations of elements recited anywhere in this application.
Although examples are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the concepts are not limited to those precise examples.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 As such, many modifications and variations can be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the concepts be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an example can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other examples, even if the other features and examples make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the absence of described combinations should not preclude claiming rights to such combinations.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12

Claims (20)

Claims

1. A computer-implemented delivery management method comprising:
determining a delivery location associated with a user of a computing device;
providing, by a service provider computing device to the user device, a first listing of merchants that accept orders for remotely ordered items available for delivery, wherein a location of each merchant of the first listing of merchants is within a first predetermined threshold distance of the delivery location associated with the user, and the user is able to access the first listing of merchants through an application executed on the user device;
sending to the user device a menu of items available to purchase from one merchant of the first listing of merchants, in response to selection of said one merchant by the user;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from the user device, information on selection of a first item by the user and a request to create a combined order, wherein the first item is any item of the menu of said one merchant.
providing, by the service provider computing device to the user device, a second listing of merchants derived from the first listing of merchants, wherein the location of each merchant of the second listing of merchants is within a second predetermined threshold distance of the location of said one merchant;
sending to the user device a menu of items available to purchase from said another merchant, in response to selection of another merchant by the user, wherein said another merchant is of the second listing of merchants;

receiving, by the system provider computing device from the user device, a combined order; wherein the combined order is based on the selection of the first item and selection of a second item by the user, and the second item is any item of the menu of said another merchant;
processing, by the service provider computing device, the combined order into a single order deliverable to the location associated with the user; and determining an estimated delivery time for the single order to be delivered to the location associated with the user.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining a delivery location associated with a user comprises one of: reading a default delivery location associated with the user;
reading a delivery location associated with the user previously entered in the user device;
receiving from the user device a delivery location associated with the user as entered by the user; determining a current location of the user device based on information from a device with Global Positioning System locating capability; and determining a current location of the user device based on at least one of wireless access point information and wireless communication cell tower information.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining an estimated delivery time for the single order comprises:
sending, by the service provider computing device to a merchant device of said one merchant, information on the first item;
sending, by the service provider computing device to a merchant device of said another merchant, information on the second item;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from the merchant device of said one merchant, a time of completion of preparation of the first item;

sending receiving, by the service provider computing device from the merchant device of said another merchant, a time of completion of preparation of the second item; and prioritizing the first and second items wherein the prioritization is based on the delivery location associated with the user, the time of completion of preparation of the first item, the time of completion of preparation of the second item, the location of said one merchant, and the location of said another merchant.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising sending, from the service provider computing device to the user device, the estimated delivery time for the single order.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising formulating the first and second predetermined threshold distances such that the first and second predetermined threshold distances minimize a risk of the first and second items becoming spoiled.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first listing of merchants is obtained from a cross marketing arrangement entered into by all merchants of the first listing of merchants.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the service provider computing device assigning a courier to deliver the single order to the location associated with the user, wherein the courier is assigned according to criteria selected from the group consisting of: any cross marketing arrangement entered into by any two or all of said one merchant, said another merchant, and a service provider; a location of said one merchant; a location of said another merchant; an operating time of said one merchant; an operating time of said another merchant; current availability of couriers, and current locations of couriers.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising determining a current location of a courier; and determining whether the current location of the courier is within at least one of a third predetermined threshold distance of said one merchant, and a fourth predetermined threshold distance of said another merchant.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:
the service provider computing device sending a request to a courier for information on whether the courier is currently available to deliver the single order, or currently available to perform pickup and dropoff of either the first item or the second item as part of the process of delivering the single order;

and receiving, by the service provider computing device from the courier, a reply to the request.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the service provider computing device assigning a courier to perform pickup and dropoff of either the first item or the second item as part of the process of delivering the single order.

11. A computer-implemented delivery management method comprising:
determining a delivery location associated with a user of a computing device;
providing, by a service provider computing device to the user device, a listing of merchants that accept orders for remotely ordered items available for delivery, wherein a location of each merchant of the listing of merchants is within a first predetermined threshold distance of the delivery location associated with the user, and the user is able to access the listing of merchants through an application executed on the user device;

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 sending to the user device a menu of items available to purchase from one merchant of the listing of merchants, in response to selection of said one merchant by the user; wherein the menu comprises an option to select items from a predetermined second merchant of the listing of merchants, and the location of the second merchant is within a second predetermined threshold distance of the location of said one merchant;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from the user device, information on selection of a first item by the user and a request to create a combined order, wherein the first item is any item of the menu of said one merchant;
sending to the user device a menu of items available to purchase from the second merchant;
receiving, by the system provider computing device from the user device, a combined order; wherein the combined order is based on the selection of the first item and selection of a second item by the user, and the second item is any item of the menu of said another merchant;
processing, by the service provider computing device, the combined order into a single order deliverable to the location associated with the user; and determining an estimated delivery time for the single order to be delivered to the location associated with the user.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein determining a delivery location associated with a user comprises one of: reading a default delivery location associated with the user; reading a delivery location associated with the user previously entered in the user device; receiving from the user device a delivery location associated with the user as entered by the user; determining a current location of the user device based on information from a device with Global Positioning System locating capability; and determining a current Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 location of the user device based on at least one of wireless access point information and wireless communication cell tower information.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein estimating the delivery time for the single order comprises:
sending, by the service provider computing device to a merchant device of said one merchant, information on the first item;
sending, by the service provider computing device to a merchant device of the second merchant, information on the second item;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from the merchant device of said one merchant, a time of completion of preparation of the first item;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from the merchant device of the second merchant, a time of completion of preparation of the second item; and prioritizing the first and second items, wherein the prioritization is based on the delivery location associated with the user, the time of completion of preparation of the first item, the time of completion of preparation of the second item, the location of said one merchant, and the location of the second merchant.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising sending, from the service provider computing device to the user device, the estimated delivery time for the single order.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12

15. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising formulating the first and second predetermined threshold distances such that the first and second predetermined threshold distances minimize a risk of the first and second items becoming spoiled.

16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the listing of merchants is obtained from a cross marketing arrangement entered into by all merchants of the listing of merchants.

17. A computer-implemented delivery management method comprising:
providing, by a service provider computing device to a computing device of a user, a menu of items available to purchase from a merchant hosting the user, the menu comprising an option to select items from one or more predetermined merchants other than the host merchant; wherein each of the one or more predetermined merchants accepts orders for remotely ordered items available for delivery, a location of each of the one or more predetermined merchants is within a first predetermined threshold distance of a location of the host merchant, the locations of the one or more predetermined merchants are within a second predetermined threshold distance of each other, and the user is able to access the menu through an application executed on the user device;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from the user device, a request to create a combined order;
sending to the user device one or more menus of items available to purchase from the one or more predetermined merchants;
receiving, by the system provider computing device from the user device, a combined order; wherein the combined order is based on the selection of a first item and a second item by the user, the first item is any item of the menu of the host merchant or any item of the one or more menus, and the second item is any item of the one or more menus;

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 processing, by the service provider computing device, the combined order into a single order deliverable to the host merchant; and determining an estimated delivery time for the single order to be delivered to the location of the host merchant.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein determining an estimated delivery time for the single order comprises:
sending, by the service provider computing device to a merchant device of one merchant of the one or more predetermined merchants, information on the second item; and receiving, by the service provider computing device from said merchant device of one merchant of the one or more predetermined merchants, a time of completion of preparation of the second item.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein determining an estimated delivery time for the single order further comprises:
sending, by the service provider computing device to a merchant device of another merchant of the one or more predetermined merchants, information on the first item;
receiving, by the service provider computing device from said merchant device of another merchant of the one or more predetermined merchants, a time of completion of preparation of the first item; and prioritizing the first and second items, wherein the prioritization is based on the location of the host merchant, the time of completion of preparation of Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12 the first item, the time of completion of preparation of the second item, the location of said one merchant, and the location of said another merchant.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the one or more predetermined merchants are obtained from a cross marketing arrangement entered into by the host merchant and the one or more predetermined merchants.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-12